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Hi,
I have a small but annoying problem with a builder who seemingly won't finish a contracted job in my house. I'd like some advice on the best course of action.
The job in question was to remove an internal doorway and replace it with a stud wall. I have a formal quote from the trader specifying that the job was to include supply and fit of skirting boards (and, moreover, that it would take two days to complete). At the trader's request, I stupidly agreed to pay the full amount (£750) up front. (In my defence, we had used this same trader for an emergency roof repair a couple of years ago and had at that time been very impressed with his service and the work he did.)
The major part of the work (removal of internal door; erection of stud wall; plastering) was completed some three weeks ago and took no more than six or seven hours in total. Since then, despite my repeated efforts, the trader has not returned to finish off the job by fitting the skirting boards. Mostly he has not answered my calls or replied to my texts; and when he has replied, his approach has been to promise to come on such-and-such a day. When the agreed day comes, he doesn't turn up or reply to texts.
Having this job unfinished for several weeks has caused major inconvenience. I now need to get it finished so we can make use of the space. My thinking is that I will now contact the trader informing him that I am going to procure and fit the skirting myself and send him the bill. If he refuses to pay, I'm prepared to submit a claim through Money Claims Online (I'm aware that the cost of a bit of skirting is trivial, but I don't see why a trader should get away scot-free with taking my money up front and then refusing to finished the job).
Can anyone please advise me on the following:
• Having paid in full up front, am I now legally within my rights to complete the job at my own cost and send the trader the bill? Or, to put it another way, if I complete the job at my own cost, will I have a valid claim against the trader to recover those costs?
• Assuming I have a valid claim in principle, can I only claim for the cost of any materials I have to purchase to complete the job? Can I add anything for my time and/or inconvenience? If so, how should I determine how much to add?
Many thanks in advance!
I have a small but annoying problem with a builder who seemingly won't finish a contracted job in my house. I'd like some advice on the best course of action.
The job in question was to remove an internal doorway and replace it with a stud wall. I have a formal quote from the trader specifying that the job was to include supply and fit of skirting boards (and, moreover, that it would take two days to complete). At the trader's request, I stupidly agreed to pay the full amount (£750) up front. (In my defence, we had used this same trader for an emergency roof repair a couple of years ago and had at that time been very impressed with his service and the work he did.)
The major part of the work (removal of internal door; erection of stud wall; plastering) was completed some three weeks ago and took no more than six or seven hours in total. Since then, despite my repeated efforts, the trader has not returned to finish off the job by fitting the skirting boards. Mostly he has not answered my calls or replied to my texts; and when he has replied, his approach has been to promise to come on such-and-such a day. When the agreed day comes, he doesn't turn up or reply to texts.
Having this job unfinished for several weeks has caused major inconvenience. I now need to get it finished so we can make use of the space. My thinking is that I will now contact the trader informing him that I am going to procure and fit the skirting myself and send him the bill. If he refuses to pay, I'm prepared to submit a claim through Money Claims Online (I'm aware that the cost of a bit of skirting is trivial, but I don't see why a trader should get away scot-free with taking my money up front and then refusing to finished the job).
Can anyone please advise me on the following:
• Having paid in full up front, am I now legally within my rights to complete the job at my own cost and send the trader the bill? Or, to put it another way, if I complete the job at my own cost, will I have a valid claim against the trader to recover those costs?
• Assuming I have a valid claim in principle, can I only claim for the cost of any materials I have to purchase to complete the job? Can I add anything for my time and/or inconvenience? If so, how should I determine how much to add?
Many thanks in advance!
